Louder Than The Music

LTTM guest blogger Clare Reay reports from the SOW (Sound Of Wales) live album recording, of Wide Open Spaces on Tuesday 6th January 2015.

Sound of Wales take their heritage seriously - Wales is the land of song, and SOW intend to sing that song loud and clear, and all for God’s glory. Tonight, they’re singing it and recording it in front of an audience to produce one of the first live worship albums out of Wales. And what better venue to do it in than the Gate Arts Centre in Cardiff- a beautiful 100 year-old church that has been converted to serve the community but retains many historical features, such as the wooden pews the audience fill for tonight’s event.

SOW have a group of core musicians and an otherwise fluid lineup. Tonight, they are 11-strong and fronted as ever by the powerful vocals of Cath Woolridge. Cath’s passion for leading people into the presence of God spills out as soon as she opens her mouth to speak and once she starts singing, you’re already halfway there.

After a little session to teach the audience some choruses, the band kick off an amazing evening of music and worship with the beautiful ‘Ancient Wells’. The bulk of the songs performed tonight were written by Cath Woolridge and pianist Rachel Mathias. Their heart for God, for Wales and for revival is absolutely tangible in their poignant lyrics and stirring melodies but more so than anywhere in their delivery. The passion behind the performance speaks louder than any note coming from the band’s instruments tonight- as the singers cry out for Wales, and for God to kick the darkness and bring light, hands and voices are raised in the room and the presence of the Holy Spirit is undeniable.

There are several up-tempo numbers such as the gospel-feel ‘Time to Come Home’ and the rousing ‘Because of the Cross’ which have the audience standing, clapping and cheering loudly. The slower offerings like ‘Love that Will Not Let Me Go’ and the beautifully vulnerable ‘Cross-centred Heart’ bring a reverent atmosphere to the room, which is added to by mesmerising cello and violin sections.

The unquestionable standout moment comes with what is now surely SOW’s signature tune- ‘Here is Love’. Cath jokes that they intend to include it on every recording and I think that could only be met with unanimous approval. Their version complete with stunning Welsh language verses is nothing short of epic.

I know I will wake in the morning with lines of all these songs going around my head

“I’m in your embrace, I’m looking into my Father’s face..”

“I’m standing in wide open spaces of your grace”

“freedom gets under my skin"
their choruses are as profound as they are catchy and each one was taken up quickly and naturally by the crowd. There are future classic congregational songs in this setlist.

SOW are impeccably well-rehearsed- every song is polished and the band are meticulously in sync with each other throughout. That said, they also allow for moments of free worship and encourage the audience to let the Spirit lead them. This is a group of people who are more than just a band they are prayer-soaked visionaries and revival-fuelled missionaries, and their album Wide Open Spaces will undoubtedly inspire you to be the same.